§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will take steps to assist people who have bought their council houses and subsequently find them to have major structural defects; and if he will ensure that they are eligible to apply for home improvement loans from their local council. [14935]
§ Mr. RaynsfordLocal authorities already give grants for repairs to owner occupiers. Renovation grant under Part I of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 is available at the authority's discretion for making property fit and for other works of repair or improvement which go beyond making a property fit. Such grants are subject to a means test. Under separate provisions, certain classes of defective properties, designated as defective under sections 528 or 559 of the Housing Act 1985, are eligible for assistance under Part XVI of that Act. However, works to address the defects in such properties are not eligible for grant under the 1996 Act.